Wheel chair OK* till the
top of the loop.
Popular but not crowded $7 per car, Dogs OK, Bathrooms*
Map available at Riverfront Regional Park
Today I did my
second tour of the Riverfront Regional Park near Windsor Ca. The big joy for me
was that I did more than 3.5 miles!
Forty years ago considered buying a house on East
Side Road, but decided against because of the gravel trucks that roared past the
front door. And not long after, one of these trucks took the turn a bit too fast
and rolled onto its side in the driveway.
This park was created from the gravel
mine right down the road. In the winter the two ponds become part of the flood
zone for the Russian River. Fortunately for us most of the time they are well behaved lakes.
This park is an excellent one for people of differing
ability to enjoy together. In
this post I will make suggestions for things for your companions
with
more energy and those with less. The parking lot is big enough for week day walkers. I have not gone on a hot
summer weekend, but suspect that it might just get packed.
The main trail head
leaves from the parking lot. There is a fine picnic area, shaded in redwood
trees with a good bathroom. This is a good place for your folk that want to just hang out and read a book while you walk. If you want to walk thru it there are a couple of
paths that lead down to the Lake Path. They are not well signed, but any thing
going off to the west will take you to the Lake Path.
There
are many benches all around the lake. This one is kind of
special. It has a memorial plaque.
But
this one has notes left here
by people that loved him.
Just after the trash can, and baggie
supply, you will find the Lake trail leading off to the left. I prefer the
clockwise direction around the lake. But if one goes straight, there are more
picnic tables and benches. Good fishing too. If you have a companion that does
not want to do the whole trail, have them go counter clockwise and find a bench
they can look out at the lake. You can meet up there.
So as you go off to the
left on the Lake Trail, you will be in the shade of second growth redwoods.
There are several side paths that go up the hill on your left. If you are
walking with more energetic walkers, send them up these side paths to wander. It
would be convenient to meet up at the first bench after the Rocks part of the
path. If you decide that the Rocks are not for you, return to the first bench to
meet your group.
The lake is on your right. In addition to the benches, there
are several paths down to the lake. Do not feel that you have to hazard one of
the steeper paths down, there are some more accessible paths along the trail.
See all of that bright green at the edge of the water. Those lovely flowers are
Water Primrose. They are a horrible invasive species that is choking our water
ways. Do not take home, do not plant in your garden. They may be lovely, but
they choke out the fish, and displace native plants. For more info
The Rocks.
Most of the path is
maintained to allow for small pickup trucks. But at the top of the lake is a
section that Mother Nature has declared to be hers. In wet winters it can become
a mighty stream, scouring away the path. This is the point where you must decide
if this is terrain that you are OK with, or this is a good time to head back to
the car. Either way it is about the same amount of walking.
After the Rocks, the
main trail continues. Or there is a parallel trail that meanders closer to the
lake. The side trail is narrower, has a few steepish places, and get interesting when
you have to pass or be passed by other walkers. This can get fun. Especially if
there is lots of poison oak at that point. Or you have a bouncy dog. Or they are
on a horse. These all happened to me and Jax. At the same time. And no I didn’t
get a photo. There are access trails back up to the main trail at frequent places,
though some of these were too steep for me.
If you only look for the spectacular stuff, you may miss out on the tiny gems on your walks. There are no big showy flowers here. But if you look close you will find many species. These photos were taken in June.
Today I stopped at three benches in
the shade and looped back thru the Rocks. This added to my distance so that I
did 3.5 miles rather than the regular loop of 2.2 miles.
As one continues down
the west side of the lake, the views over the lake are lovely. Lots of benches
to rest and/or take photos. I saw several species of water birds, and some small
birds in the trees that I am going to go look up.
There is a maintained outhouse
not to far up from the Rocks.
On the west side of the lake one leaves the redwoods, moving into a different habitat. Starting with oaks, then into more water loving trees like willow. There are
times that the Russian River floods the lakes, so many of these trees spend part
of many winters standing in water. You never see it from the trail, but to the
west (left if you are going clockwise) is the Russian River. There are several
tiny trails leading off that direction. My lack of balance, and the amount of
poison oak have deterred me from exploring that part of the park. But you can
hear the canoes and kayaks, or rather you can hear the people in them.
As the
trail bends back to the south, you will see more and more fishermen. This is
your clue that you will be soon passing the picnic area between the two lakes.
Staying on the main trail will lead you back to the parking area.
Once you finish your walk, there are numerous wineries in the area to visit.
Once you finish your walk, there are numerous wineries in the area to visit.
*At the top of
the loop there is an area that is subject to annual run off and has some
steepish bits, and rocky going that may be difficult to manage for some knees.
This area is impassable for most wheel chairs, but if you can walk a small bit
and have an assist it might work for you. But even so it is a great and
out’n’back walk on either side of the lake.
* Flushies at the parking lot, and
an out house at the top of the loop
Comments